Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Addressing The Potential Impacts Of Mental Illness Symptoms On Daily Occupations For Adolescents, Ashley Manjai, Mary Greer, Terah Harrison

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This presentation discusses a program developed for adolescents to address mental illness symptoms and its impact on personal hygiene, academic performance, leisure, and social participation. The modules were developed under the title "Healthy Living" to take a more holistic approach to addressing mental health and the issues teenagers face daily. This presentation will provide an overview of the program's purpose, methods, and conclusion.

Understanding Athletes’ Experience When Transitioning To Life Beyond Sport: A Pilot Study, Alyssa L. Moore

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Breastfeeding As Co-Occupation: Occupational Therapy’S Role In Promoting Health And Well-Being, Lisa Joelle Sutton, Julie D. Kugel, Dragana Krpalek, Arezou Salamat

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Even with efforts to encourage mothers to breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months, the majority of women are not able to undertake breastfeeding as the sole means of infant nutrition provision for various reasons. The role of occupational therapists working with mothers who breastfeed is complex and not strongly supported in the literature. Therefore, this qualitative study was designed to examine the role that occupational therapists may engage in supporting mothers and infants in the co-occupation of breastfeeding.

Method: A qualitative phenomenological study design was applied and included 11 occupational therapists working with breastfeeding dyads. The …

Nature-Based Occupational Therapy As An Innovative Approach In Facilitating Children’S Development, Surekchha Siwakoti

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the benefits of a Nature-Based Therapy Program and evaluate the effectiveness of NBT interventions in improving children’s overall well-being. Quantitative data were collected using SSQ, SDQ, and the Post-Intervention Parent Questionnaire to assess the efficacy of the NBT program. The data sets were analyzed using SPSS and Paired Sample t-test, non-parametric Wilcoxon Test, and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was conducted. The findings from the SSQ and SDQ indicated that NBT interventions were not significant in improving children’s overall mental, emotional, and social well-being. However, the data collected through post-intervention parent survey questions indicated high …

Quality Of Life And Well-Being Of Breast Cancer Patients While Following A Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Surveillance Protocol, Madisen L. Prasek

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

With breast cancer being one of the most common cancers in women globally and treatments being one of the greatest risk factors for secondary lymphedema (Eaton et al., 2020; He et al., 2023; Jørgensen et al., 2021), it is essential to understand how a breast cancer diagnosis and treatments affect an individual’s quality of life (QoL) and well-being. This capstone project aimed to gain in-depth clinical skills in lymphedema care, specifically in breast-care related lymphedema (BCRL), and educate on the psychosocial needs of the breast cancer population, with an emphasis on how being at risk for or diagnosed with BCRL …

A New Lease On Life: The Occupational Impact Of Adaptive Skiing, Caitlin Tetherow, Amy Lyons-Brown, Amy Griswold

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

This research study focuses on understanding the occupational impact of adaptive skiing on well-being and identity to promote lifelong occupational engagement, representation, and inclusion within current ski culture. A mixed-method research study utilized a 25-question online survey and an optional one-time virtual interview. 50 adaptive skiers and/or snowboarders participating in a winter adaptive program between 18-65 years old completed this study. This study found positive evidence supporting outcomes related to physical, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being and positive identity formation from adaptive skiing.

Adaptive Outdoor Recreation To Promote Health And Well-Being For Adults With Disabilities, Brittany Earle

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student Capstone Posters

Individuals with physical disabilities are disproportionately excluded from leisure pursuits including outdoor recreation due to various barriers. In collaboration with Cleveland Metroparks, I created a program designed for adults with disabilities to enhance health and well-being through participation in outdoor recreation as well as increase awareness of opportunities available. The Adaptive Outdoor Recreation Program is intended to be implemented in spring 2025.

Occupation-Based Wellness Within The Veteran Population, Jennie Burdette

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student Capstone Posters

Transitioning from military to civilian life often leaves veterans with long-lasting difficulties which includes physical and mental health challenges that affect different aspects of daily functioning. This capstone, at Baldwin Wallace University’s Student Veteran Center, provided occupation-based education and resources to promote mental health and overall well-being of student veterans.

Predictors Of General Well-Being In Postprofessional Students Of Occupational Science And Occupational Therapy, Elena Wong Espiritu, Paul E. Yeatts, Cynthia L. Evetts

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: Doctoral students experience decreased well-being during their educational experience. Self-compassion, engagement in meaningful occupations, and occupational balance positively impact well-being in individuals. This study examined the relationships between these constructs in postprofessional occupational science and occupational therapy students.

Method: This quantitative cross-sectional study collected national survey data (N = 113) using the Self-Compassion Scale – Short Form, the Engagement in Meaningful Activities Survey, the Occupational Balance Questionnaire 11, and the 14-item Scales of General Well-Being. Multiple linear regression analysis determined how well each construct predicted general well-being and the strength of each construct’s relationship compared to other …

Supporting The Well-Being And Engagement Of Occupational Therapy Students Through Sensory Modulation: A Pilot Study, Rebecca Matson, Jo Linforth, Julie Hanna, Vikki Barnes-Brown

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Student well-being is an increasing area of concern within higher education and one of the biggest causes of attrition. This study sought to investigate the potential for sensory modulation strategies as an approach to support student well-being and engagement in studies through an action research project. Sixteen second-year occupational therapy students took part in a two-week trial of items designed to support sensory modulation, following which they were asked to complete an online survey evaluating the effectiveness of the item in relation to affect, regulation, attention, and activity. Eight students completed the survey containing a mix of Likert scale and …

Recommendations For Academic Programs To Best Support Occupational Therapy Students: Student Perspectives, Elena Wong Espiritu, Hanna Mcclain, R. David Phillippi

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Declining occupational therapy student mental health and well-being is well described in the literature. However, there is a lack of literature describing recommendations from the student perspective that could help academic programs as they develop and implement support programming. Involving students in the process can be beneficial as they are experts in their experiences. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to describe recommendations current occupational therapy students had for their academic programs to best support them during their educational experience. The study sample consisted of 628 entry-level masters and doctoral occupational therapy students from 31 states. Participant responses …

The Occupational Needs Of Military Spouses During Deployments, Sin Hye Lee, Amy Lyons-Brown

Summer 2023 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Purpose: This research delves into the occupational needs of military spouses during deployments, investigating how deployments influence their well-being and occupational performance. This study aims to increase awareness and advocate for military spouses by gaining greater insight into their lived experiences during deployments.

Methods: A mixed-methods research design - 40 participants for the survey and 6 interviewees. The survey was guided by the SAMHSA's eight dimensions of wellness and a modified Role Checklist to identify the impact of deployments on wellness and role participation. The interview was based on a modified MOHOST assessment tool to explore the impact on occupational …

Occupational Therapy Interventions For Patients With Substance Use Disorders: A Practitioner Guide, Mary Barrett

Student eBooks

Occupational therapy interventions for treating clients with substance use disorders. 10 modules which include a section for education, skills instruction, therapeutic activities, goal setting, and assessment tools. The areas included are coping mechanisms, health management, medication management, mental health, occupational engagement, pain management, sleep hygiene, stress management, time management, and work readiness. This project was completed as part of a capstone project at Cleveland State University by an occupational therapy doctoral student.

Habits For Health: A Holistic Approach To Women's Well-Being, Katelyn Helms

OTD Capstone Projects

The New Beginnings Center is a nonprofit organization that offers a holistic approach to a healthy lifestyle including instruction regarding nutrition and exercise training. They offer a 12-week program for women of all backgrounds 18+ that empowers women through fitness and lifestyle changes. They have also recently started a program called Iron souls which offers the same education and empowerment for teenagers. The objective for this project was to provide the most updated review of literature regarding the interrelationship between hormones and health. This included how reproductive hormones influenced energy levels, losing weight, and building muscle. Additionally, the relationship between …

How Can Occupational Therapy Enhance Existing Substance Use Disorder Treatment In Summit County, Ohio?, Mary Barrett

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student Capstone Posters

This capstone project focused on the role of occupational therapy in substance use disorder treatment. While working at Cleveland State University a needs assessment of the services available in Summit County was conducted. The final project was the development of a pilot OT intervention program for agencies to utilize in their treatment services.

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 …

An Occupation-Based Approach To Empower Individuals Experiencing Homelessness, Sydney L. Bodensteiner

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Individuals experiencing homelessness often have decreased occupational participation in all domains of occupational therapy practice. The purpose of this capstone experience was to explore the role of occupational therapy among individuals experiencing homelessness. in Rapid City, SD. A Needs Assessment was developed in collaboration with Fork Real Community Café and the HOPE Center in order to identify the occupational needs of individuals experiencing homelessness in the Rapid City community. With the needs identified, I led holistic, client-centered, individual and group interventions to increase the occupational participation of guests. For individual interventions, guests completed the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure to determine …

Investigating The Impact Of Parkinson’S Disease On Iadl Performance, Emphasizing The Need For Earlier Diagnosis And The Value Of Timelier Occupational Therapy Intervention, Brittney N. Moser

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Parkinson’s disease (PD) can cause motor and non-motor difficulties which significantly decrease one’s independence and quality of life. Research has shown the earlier these individuals are diagnosed and subsequently referred for more timely therapeutic intervention, the better their health outcomes. This capstone was designed to develop advanced clinical understanding of the deficits in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) performance early on in disease progression and the role of occupational therapy in PD care. Further, it was designed for program development to specifically address the need for increased care for those with PD in rural communities. Four weeks of the …

Exploring Occupational Therapy In Perinatal Care: Promoting The Mental Health And Well-Being Of Women During And After An Unplanned Pregnancy, Sydney M. Korn

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Unplanned pregnancy can have a significant effect on the health and well-being of both the mother and her child. Those who experience an unplanned pregnancy are two times more likely to experience maternal depression or stress than those who plan their pregnancies which can negatively impact the mother-infant bond. This capstone sought to explore occupational therapy’s role within perinatal care, specifically addressing the mental health needs of women in unplanned pregnancies by collaborating with already established programs at a pregnancy resource center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and incorporating the principles of occupational therapy. It explored the use of modules …

Happy And Healthy: A Positive Mental Health Program For Early Elementary School-Aged Children, Haleigh Freeman, Angela L. Blackwell, Erik Pérez

Spring 2022 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Approximately 17% of children from the ages six to 17 in the U.S. have a treatable mental health disorder, however, of those children, 70% have not received appropriate mental health care to address their mental health problems (MHP) (American Academy of Family Physicians, 2019; Mental Health Foundation, 2016). The severity of MHP identified within the literature points to a distinct need for mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention to address those needs (Albuquerque et al., 2020). Specifically, the need for school-based and after-school based mental health services continues growing at alarming rates (Map, 2013). However, school systems often lack provisions …

Burnout Solutions Through Wellness And Outdoor Adventure, Cassidy Bizzell

OTD Capstone Projects

For this doctoral capstone project I partnered with Abundant Life Adventure Club, a wellness company that curates group travel and outdoor events for Black professionals and entrepreneurs to experience the connection and self-care needed to thrive in life and work. The purpose of this project was to determine the club’s points of service, show the club’s effectiveness of providing burnout solutions, and support the mission for Abundant Life Adventure Club to expand membership and provide nature-based wellness interventions to Black professionals and entrepreneurs. Through research and collaboration, I created a member survey to determine the effectiveness of the club in …

Self-Care: An Occupational Therapy Student Perspective, Isabelle Laposha, Stacy Smallfield

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Health professional students, including occupational therapy students, report increasing rates of stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout while completing their academic programs of study. Self-care is one potential solution to this crisis, as engagement in evidence-based self-care practices has been found to improve the health and well-being of various student populations; however, the self-care practices of occupational therapy students have not been well studied. Therefore, this study explored how occupational therapy students understand and practice self-care, and how self-care correlates to perceived stress. Twenty participants engaged in a focus group and completed a 72-hour time diary. Focus group results indicated that …

Impact Of Motivations For Volunteering On Well-Being Among Health Sciences Students, Allison J. Naber, Rebecca Benson, Katie Ericsson, Macey Genzlinger

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Motivations for volunteering as a meaningful occupation can influence well-being. This study explored the relationship between motivations for volunteering and perceived well-being among students enrolled in one of ten departments in a School of Health Sciences. A cross-sectional survey incorporating the RAND 36-Item Short Form Survey and Volunteer Function Inventory was employed. Most of the 95 participants were students enrolled in the health science undergraduate and occupational therapy graduate programs. Approximately 75% had volunteered in the past year. RAND SF-36 findings indicated good perceived well-being among many categories. Primary motivations for volunteering included values (Mdn = 30) and understanding …

Group Action Planning To Promote Well-Being Of Non-Traditional Students In A Hybrid Program, Elena W. Espiritu

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Non-traditional occupational therapy students experience stress and occupational imbalance during their educational experience due to academic and non-academic factors, which decreases their well-being. Throughout the occupational therapy literature, participation in a variety of occupations is known to positively impact well-being. However, there are limited interventions available to foster occupational therapy students’ overall well-being through occupational engagement. Furthermore, there is a scarcity of interventions specifically designed to meet the unique needs of non-traditional occupational therapy students. Action planning is a structured goal setting format by which a person develops specific strategies to achieve desirable outcomes. This qualitative descriptive study described the …

Older Adults In An Lgbt Residential Community: Impact Of A Safe Space On Occupation And Well-Being, Daniel P. Swiatek, Sheryl Ryan, Terry Peralta-Catipon

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Background: LGBT seniors have suffered a lifetime of societal and institutional discrimination and health care inequalities. The number of LGBT people 50 years of age and older will surpass five million in the coming decades. LGBT seniors are at greater risk of disability, isolation, physical and mental health issues, and substance abuse. Supportive social environments and networks are correlated with higher quality of life. The purpose of this study was to better understand how living in a safe and secure apartment community specifically for low-income LGBT older adults impacted the residents’ daily life and well-being.

Method: This study …

The Ot Well-Being Summit 2021, Deanna Waggy Otr

Journal of Transformative Touch

The OT Well-Being Summit empowers occupational therapists and other holistic practitioners around the globe to have confidence with holistic health and wellness skills for their therapy practice. The OT Well-Being Summit brings together 11 occupational therapists who share holistic health and wellness strategies and tools that you can use in your integrative medicine practice today with the confidence (and evidence) to use them. The OT Well-Being Summit is an online self-paced course with 12 hours of information and insights to give you the confidence to move forward in areas related to holistic health, wellness, and prevention. https://tinyurl.com/t9cc6afp

Implications For Occupational Therapy Student Stress, Well-Being, And Coping: A Scoping Review, Pamela Lewis-Kipkulei, Leah S. Dunn, Amanda M. Carpenter

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Scholarly literature and non-scholarly news sources have highlighted stressors in higher education. The rigor of occupational therapy education can compound student stress. Although the profession recognizes these stressors, insufficient literature exists regarding strategies to cope with and manage these sources of stress. This scoping review explored the literature examining stress and the implications for occupational therapy student well-being and coping, and also identified strategies for faculty to support student well-being. Using PRISMA Scoping Review guidelines, a systematic, multi-phase process was used to identify relevant literature. Databases searched included PubMed, CINAHL, PsycInfo, MEDLINE Complete, Web of Science, ERIC, and Education Database. …

The Focuus Model— Facilitating Occupational Performance On Campus: Uplifting Underrepresented Students, Maribeth Clifton, Steven D. Taff

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The FOCUUS Model or Facilitating Occupational Performance on Campus: Uplifting Underrepresented Students, is a theoretically-based, evidence-centered model focused on ethnic minority (EM) students in higher education. The FOCUUS Model recognizes minority status as a determinant of health, where the experience of minority status stress (MSS) resulting from racism, stigmatization, marginalization, discrimination, microaggressions, and challenges to one’s sense of belonging largely influence one’s occupational performance, health, and overall well-being. Historical and contemporary injustices within American culture have resulted in multigenerational occurrences of disparities for EMs. Racial injustice is deeply embedded and still ever-present within practices and traditions in higher education institutions …

Occupational Therapy Student Perceptions Of Wellness: Focus Group Findings, Kelsey Lawrence, Katherine Chin, Stacy Smallfield

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Despite the evidence of significant consequences stemming from the intense demands on students, most graduate-level programs have insufficiently considered components of students’ wellness. Thus, the purpose of this research study was two-pronged: 1) to evaluate current occupational therapy students’ perceptions of wellness and 2) to explore student perceptions on using communities of practice as a program delivery method to enhance wellness. A qualitative study design was selected to gather experiences and feedback from occupational therapy graduate students. Participants were recruited via email from a convenience sample of a large, research-based Midwestern occupational therapy program. Participants attended one focus group and …

Effect Of Animal-Assisted Intervention On Graduate Students’ Perceptions Of Well-Being: Insights From Occupational Therapy, Christine Kivlen

Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Problem Statement: There is a growing concern regarding college student well-being that requires a need for implementation of cost-effective interventions addressing the increasing number of students experiencing negative mental health symptoms. Studies from medical and educational settings suggested positive mental health benefits from animal assisted intervention (AAI). Researchers studying college students exposed to animals during periods of high academic stress demonstrated successful reductions in stress and anxiety; however, researchers have not examined a specific area of dosage, including the influence of recurring AAI (more than one session) in the graduatestudent population. Furthermore, researchers have failed to include each element of …