Occupational Therapy Commons^™

Walkability For Older Adults With Age-Related Vision Loss In London, Ontario, Emily Laliberte

Undergraduate Student Research Internships Conference

No abstract provided.

Occupational Therapy And Continuous Care: Pediatric Rehabilitation For Children With Medically Complex Conditions And Severe Burns, Elise M. Mueller

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

This capstone focused on developing advanced clinical knowledge and skills to treat children with medically complex conditions and severe burns. This project also incorporated interdisciplinary communication, leadership, and academic education. It took place at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital and ChildServe Medical Daycare. The population consisted of patients treated on the pediatric floor within an inpatient rehabilitation hospital, children receiving occupational therapy services in a pediatric outpatient setting, and children appropriate for medical daycare. At Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, 12 clients under the age of 21 and four clients over 21 received occupational therapy in the inpatient setting, and six children received outpatient …

Assessing The Needs And Barriers Of Esports Players In Participating In Esports And Daily Life, Kristen Musacco, Susan Macdermott, Stephanie Stoltenberg

Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium, Summer 2022

The purpose of this study is to determine the occupational needs and barriers faced by esports players as they participate in daily life and advocate for occupational therapy's potential role. A qualitative survey of 9 participants and 6 interviews were given. Thematic analysis identified themes of stigma surrounding seeking medical intervention in esports, as well as negative perceptions of how esports are viewed. Experience with an ergonomics specialist contributed to the understanding of basic ergonomics principles, proper measurement, and assessment of stations. This needs assessment provided a basis for understanding participant experiences in relation to the role occupational therapists in …

Transportation As A Barrier To Healthcare Access For Older Adults Of Low Socioeconomic Status, Yanira Barajas, Susan Macdermott, Jazminne Orozco Arteaga

Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium, Summer 2022

The older adult population of those in the age group 65+ is one of the fastest growing populations in the following years. This project sought to identify what barriers older adults of low socioeconomic status face when trying to access transportation to healthcare appointments. The project also sought to understand what barriers healthcare professionals saw when their senior clients tried using transportation as well as what opportunities occupational therapists have to address the barriers if any. There was a theme of disconnect which appeared between healthcare professionals and their senior clients across multiple healthcare disciplines. This project was able to …

Occupational Therapy's Role In Athletic Retirement, Diana Mellin, Karen Park, Madison Harris

Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium, Summer 2022

Athletic retirement is described as a life transition involving withdrawal from the athletic role. Throughout the process of athletic retirement, individuals experience a loss of identity, roles, routines, and social support which has shown to negatively impact their overall mental health and well-being (Marterella & Smoot, 2017). This study investigated elite athletes’ experiences throughout their transition to athletic retirement, a ten-question online survey and semi-structured interviews were administered. Themes that emerged from the data are occupational adjustment and relearning roles, experiencing a crossroads of identity, external expectations, and pressures. Participants shared experiencing a period of burnout and detachment right after …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Unplanned Motherhood, Cierra Stewart, Karen Park

Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium, Summer 2022

For women experiencing unplanned pregnancy, the thought of becoming a mother can increase stress and affect the mother’s mental health. Maternal adjustment can include depression, anxiety, worry, stress, and happiness (Mihelic et al., 2016). The impact that this new role has effects daily demands, leading to a disruption in occupational engagement, environmental changes, and overall less time for the mother (Horne et al., 2005). There is currently not a well-defined role for occupational therapy within pregnancy medical clinics to support women experiencing unplanned pregnancy and their transition to motherhood. The purpose of this project is to provide care to new …

An Exploration Of The Lifestyle Of Rodeo Athletes, Brooke Tunnell, Susan Macdermott, Becki Cohill

Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium, Summer 2022

Rodeo is considered one of the most rapid-growing sports across many nations and consists of highly talented, tough athletes (Haney & Pearson, 1999). There is a gap in the research that examines the occupation of rodeo through an occupational therapy and occupational science perspective. Occupational science, the study of human occupation, focuses on how the form, function, and meaning of daily activities influence health and well-being (Larson & Zemke, 2003). Form, function, and meaning guided the mixed-method research study utilizing survey, interview, narrative prompt, and photo elicitation. Three themes were extracted from the data and embodied the personal and occupational …

Supporting Rural Seniors Aging In Place Using Telehealth, Angel Alexander Gomez, Susan Macdermott

Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium, Summer 2022

Background: The United States is witnessing a demographic shift in that the number of Americans aged 65 and older is projected to nearly double from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million by 2060; the percentage of the 65 and older age group will increase from 16 % to 23 % (Administration for Community Living, 2018). In this ever-growing population, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) 2018 survey found that 76% of Americans over the age of 50 would prefer to remain in their current residence and 77% would like to continue living in their community as long as …

The Role Of Ot In Adapted Crossfit, Emily Adams

Student Capstone Projects

Background: A quarter of adults are diagnosed with a disability in the United States, with almost half considered being inactive (CDC, 2020). The population of persons with disabilities (PWD) are at higher risk for secondary health concerns due to a sedentary lifestyle (Diaz et al., 2019). CrossFit recently implemented their first adaptive division in 2021 (CrossFit, LLC, 2022), however there continue to be barriers preventing PWD from participating in CrossFit.

Problem/Purpose: PWD may experience limited access to CrossFit due to structural and social barriers to access equipment and participating in movements. The purpose of this project was to …

Perceptions Of Using Diabetic Alert Dogs To Promote Occupations And Quality Of Life, Haley Speake, Rocio Alvarenga, Adam Gibson

Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium, Summer 2022

This capstone project consisted of a pilot phenomenological qualitative research study with the goal of assessing diabetic alert dogs' impact on their owners' occupations and quality of life from the owner's perspective. Individuals with type 1 diabetes that personally own a diabetic alert dog were interviewed virtually using a semi-structured approach. The goal of the interview questions was to gather information regarding health management, daily occupations, and quality of life. Gaps in the research were identified, and it was found that few research studies focused on the impact or benefits of a diabetic alert dog from the owner’s perspective. Therefore, …

Occupational Therapy Program For Pace Center For Girls, Natalie Vish

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

An occupational therapy handbook was created for future occupational therapy students and occupational therapy assistant students to utilize when completing fieldwork rotations at Pace Center for Girls. The handbook was created to address core occupations through a trauma-informed and gender-sensitive perspective. An occupational therapy program utilizing mindfulness and sensory-based approaches at Pace Center for Girls may provide alternative and effective solutions for this at-risk female adolescent population as literature reveals that survivors of complex trauma often do not respond to traditional psychiatric treatment approaches.

Strategies For Enhancing Racially Diverse Student Satisfaction In Graduate-Level Occupational Therapy Programs, Kolbí L. Holmes, Christina Kane

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

A survey investigated satisfaction levels of racially diverse, graduate-level OT students at NSU and strategies for enhancing student satisfaction to ultimately meet the OT profession’s diversity goals. Overall, racially diverse students were satisfied with their OT program experience and identified diverse faculty and scholarship opportunities as desired resources needed for continuation in OT programs.

The Coping Strategies Of Older Adults With Age Related Vision Loss (Arvl) – A Narrative Account, Zakara J. Stampp

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The goal of this study was to share the stories of older adults with age-related vision loss (ARVL) and how they have coped to maintain meaningful occupational engagement. Grounded in a constructivist paradigm, data collection and analysis were guided by the narrative inquiry methodology. The participants consisted of six older adults aged 60 or older, diagnosed with one of the following ARVL conditions: macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and/or glaucoma. Participants were recruited from vision loss non-profit organizations such as the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) and the Alliance for Equity of Blind Canadians (AEBC). One older adult was …

Exploration In Mental Performance For Division 1 Sec College Football Student Athletes, Alex Burgdorf

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The stigma surrounding mental health in sports has made intervention difficult. “There is a need for various actors to provide more effective strategies to overcome the stigma that surrounds mental illness, increase mental health literacy in the athlete/coach community, and address athlete-specific barriers to seeking treatment for mental illness” (Castadelli-Maia et.al 2019). The athletes in the football program at the University of Tennessee face more pressure today than ever in history. They have their class schedule, practice and training every day, and meetings with their position coaches. Now, with the introduction of name, image, and likeness (NIL) allowing players to …

Gaining Experience In Academic Setting Of Entry-Level Doctoral Program, Conner Hansen

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

Worked with faculty advisors to develop activities and assignments within the OTD 8271: Interventions 1: Psychosocial and Community course for students to guide their interactions with children volunteers from A Kid’s Place (AKP). The pre-existing relationship with AKP allowed for the incorporation of hands-on activities to increase the excellence of education, confidence in clinical skills, and quality of practitioners entering the field.

Distinguishing The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Breast Cancer Care Continuum, Hannah S. Townsend

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The aggregate number of women who have either concluded BC treatment or are undergoing BC treatment totaled approximately 3.8 million women in January 2022 (BreastCancer.org, 2022). Incredible advances have been made in the pharmacological, technological, and surgical treatments of cancer along with a better understanding of the pathophysiology of cancer, but the statistics demonstrate a growing population of individuals with cancer and individuals surviving cancer (Bluethmann, 2016). The coinciding aging of the baby boomer generation results in a population of cancer survivors that demands more supply of services than were previously needed (Bluethmann, 2016). The present size of the population …

Clinical Skills And A Quick Reference Guide For Critical Care, Kayla Mccarty

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Multifactorial Fall Prevention Program Development And Implementation Within An Assisted Living Facility, Makenzie King

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Effectiveness Of Support Groups For Stroke Patients, Wendy H. Rosario

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Reducing Caregiver Burden In Spinal Cord Injuries And Disorders (Sci/D), Heather Berto

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The following capstone project focused on the exploration of clinical and community-based resources that help reduce caregiver burden in the adult spinal cord injuries and disease (SCI/D) population. In order to best serve the chosen population, this capstone project aimed to help adults with SCI/D and their caregivers have access to resources that assist with handling adjustment, learning independent living skills, and navigating their relationship with one another, while ultimately taking into consideration their specific mental health needs.