Digital Commons Network^™

The Bent Clinician: How Dental Work Is Reshaping Your Spine - And What To Do About It, Kelly Davis Pt, Dpt, Faaompt, Mt

New Orleans Dental Association News

Musculoskeletal disorders affect somewhere between 64 and 93 percent of dental professionals over the course of their careers. Neck pain, shoulder aches, low back fatigue — these aren’t just the cost of doing good work. They are predictable patterns that, with the right understanding, you can absolutely change.

Benefits Of Pet Friendly Work Environments On Physical, Mental, And Social Health Of Office Workers: A Systematic Review, Ahmed Radwan, Jenna Keeman, Tristan Hunzinger, Owen Wilson, Shayla Seymour

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Background: Pet-friendly workplace initiatives are increasingly common, yet the empirical evidence for benefits to office workers’ physical, mental, and social health is scattered and heterogeneous.

Objective: To synthesize evidence on health-related outcomes associated with pet-friendly work environments for office and desk-based workers, and to appraise the current level of evidence.

Methods: A PRISMA-guided systematic search (2014–2024) was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, OVID, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Two reviewers independently screened titles/abstracts and full texts, extracted data, and appraised study quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) checklists. Outcomes were coded and synthesized narratively within three domains: physical, mental, …

Discordance Between Self-Report And Performance-Based Measures Among At-Risk Older Adults: A Secondary Data Analysis, Chiung-Ju Liu, Wen-Pin Chang, Inga Wang

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

Importance: Subtle, age-related declines in occupational performance among at-risk older adults may go undetected when assessed solely with self-report measures, potentially leading to missed intervention opportunities. Understanding discrepancies between self-reported and performance-based occupational performance outcomes can inform assessment selection and interpretation.

Objective: To examine the discrepancies between the two types of measure among community-dwelling older adults at risk for losing independence.

Design: Cross-sectional study using secondary data analysis.

Participants: Seventy-one community-dwelling older adults (M age = 74 yr, SD = 9) who showed muscle weakness and reported difficulty with activities of daily living.

Outcomes and measures: Canadian Occupational Performance Measure …

Fostering Inclusion: Supporting Children With Hearing Loss In Social Interactions, Danielle Kaletta, Mary Jan Greer

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This project provided an open-access online program for caregivers of children with hearing loss to facilitate social engagement. Qualitative methods were used to conduct a needs assessment and identify areas of concern, barriers, and limited resources that affect participation in social activities. Based on the needs assessment, a 6-module website was created and published. Occupational therapy-based evidence, research, interventions, and best practices were compiled and adapted to target identified areas. Participants reported overall favorable feedback, stating an increase in knowledge, confidence, and participation.

Implementing A Sensory-Informed Protocol For Fall Prevention In A Skilled Nursing Facility, Riley R. Scholberg, Amy Lyons-Brown, Elizabeth Force

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project developed and implemented a sensory-informed admission protocol to support fall prevention at a skilled nursing facility. The development of this protocol aimed to improve the early identification of vision and hearing impairments and integrate sensory considerations into resident care planning and fall prevention. Participants included newly admitted residents and interdisciplinary staff members from rehabilitation, nursing, and administration. Methods included administering the Screening for Severe Dual Sensory Loss (SDSL), reviewing resident characteristics and fall-related indicators, educating staff on sensory-informed care, and developing practical resources to support consistent screening, documentation, and intervention. Expected outcomes included increased staff knowledge, improved …

A Program To Address Anxiety And/Or Add/Adhd In Children With Cerebral Palsy To Improve Social Participation, Victoria Shaw, Mary Jan Greer

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

The purpose of this project was to develop a program for children with cerebral palsy, who experience anxiety and/or ADD/ADHD, that will promote their social participation during play activities. The program lasted for 14 weeks and had two participants, within those 14 weeks, several objectives were accomplished. These objectives include the administration of the needs assessment, implementation of the program modules, pre- and post-interviews with the caregivers and staff, and the finalization of the program. The expected outcome from the program was to determine the effectiveness of the different program modules increasing interactions with peers by decreasing anxiety and improving …

A Hand Therapy Quick Reference Guide: Supporting Level Ii Fieldwork Experiences ​, Raven I. Gammage, Rebecca Caudrillier, Mary Greer

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Occupational therapy students often begin Level II hand therapy fieldwork with limited preparation. This capstone project developed an evidence-informed Hand Therapy Quick Reference Guide to support students and clinicians with foundational knowledge and clinical resources. Following implementation, feedback from hand therapists, fieldwork educators, and students indicated the guide was organized, practical, and applicable across clinical settings. The guide has the potential to improve fieldwork preparedness and support successful entry into hand therapy practice.

A Hand Therapy Quick Reference Guide: Supporting Level Ii Fieldwork Experiences, Raven I. Gammage, Rebecca Caudrillier, Mary Greer

Summer 2026 OTD Capstone Symposium

Occupational therapy students often begin Level II hand therapy fieldwork with limited preparation. This capstone project developed a Hand Therapy Quick Reference Guide to support students and clinicians with foundational knowledge and clinical resources. Evaluative feedback from hand therapists, fieldwork educators, and students indicated the guide was organized, practical, and applicable across clinical settings. The guide has the potential to improve fieldwork preparedness and support success in hand therapy practice.

Acute Intermittent Hypoxia And Acute Intermittent Hypercapnic Hypoxia Elicit Cortico-Diaphragmatic Plasticity In People With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury, Alysha Bogard, Michela Mir, Tommy Sutor, Jessica Dunn, Kathryn Cavka, Arian Vistamehr, Hannah Snyder, Joseph Welch, Jayakrishnan Nair, Gina Brunetti, Gordon Mitchell, Emily Fox

Department of Physical Therapy Faculty Papers

Respiratory impairment is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality after spinal cord injury (SCI), highlighting the need for interventions that improve breathing function. In people with SCI, acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) elicits respiratory motor plasticity and improves inspiratory function. However, in uninjured people facilitation of corticospinal diaphragm motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude occurs only when AIH is combined with mild hypercapnia (acute intermittent hypercapnic hypoxia; AIHH). It remains unclear whether AIHH similarly enhances diaphragm corticospinal excitability after SCI. We tested the hypothesis that AIHH increases diaphragm MEP amplitude and reduces MEP onset latency in individuals with chronic SCI, whereas …

Therapy With Empathy

DePaul Magazine

DePaul's Speech Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy graduate programs, newly aligned in the Department of Rehabilitative Sciences and Professions at the College of Science and Health, employ a community assets-based approach to serving diverse populations and individuals' needs across the lifespan.

Empowering Domestic Violence Survivors Through Community-Based Self-Regulation Suppor, Xen Gabrielle O. Advincula

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Purpose: Program development of trauma-informed, occupation-based resources and program and incorporating OT-related principles to support occupational balance and engagement of survivors of DV and IPV

Goal: Enhance and support the staff’s capacity and understanding of OT-scope in community settings and incorporation of OT-focused self-regulation strategies

Outcome: Increase the staff’s confidence levels of knowledge on the scope of OT within community-based settings and OT-related strategies to support self-regulation levels

An Epilepsy Community Collective Towards Occupational Justice And Empowerment, Tyler Debuty

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Underutilization of epilepsy-specific resource programs, lack of public awareness about epilepsy, limitations in community belonging, and implications for self-management programs aimed towards improving quality of life and reducing the burden of care during the transition into adulthood and throughout the lifespan for people with epilepsy.

Improving Quality Of Life For Informal Caregivers Of Post-Stroke Survivors: Implementing Preventative, Advocacy And Educational Strategies, Joann Bennett

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Stroke recovery extends beyond hospital discharge, yet community-dwelling stroke survivors and their informal caregivers often have limited access to continued education, wellness resources, and community-based support.

This gap contributes to caregiver burden, reduced occupational participation, and decreased quality of life.

Amplifying Parental Well-Being: Ot-Informed Support For Families Of Children With Hearing Loss, Joelle Barth

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Despite the many demands placed on parents of children diagnosed DHH, limited support exists to specifically address their mental health needs

Bridging Gaps In Spanish-Speaking Individuals In Rural Areas About Parkinson’S Disease, Fabiola Barajas Velasco

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Provide education and bring awareness of Parkinson’s disease in rural areas through educational trainings and community outreach, specifically those close in contact with farmworkers or farmworkers themselves.

Occupational Therapy Approaches To Mitigating Cancer-Related Fatigue (Crf): A Scoping Review And Practice Framework, Brooke Carson

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Goal: Improve knowledge and competence in CRF management through evidence-based education to improve CRF interventions in oncology rehabilitation

Outcome: Increased confident and application of evidence based CRF intervention strategies, leading to improved functional performance and occupational engagement for individuals experiencing CRF

Promoting Mental Health Awareness, Advocacy, And Occupational Justice For First-Generation College Students, Gilberto Duran Garcia

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

First Generation College Students (FGCS) face a high prevalence of mental health concerns

Stress, anxiety, depression, financial burden, cultural expectations, imposter syndrome, pressure to meet expectations, fear of the unknown, lack of guidance, and lack of preparedness

Enhancing New Mother's Mental Health And Confidence After Discharge, Breana De La Cruz

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

New mothers lack guidance, education and resources for common postpartum complications resulting in a decreased overall wellbeing in the postpartum period.

Exploring The Role Of Functional Cognition In Early Psychosis Care: An Occupational Therapy Perspective, Angelica Detata

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Cognitive impairment is a core feature of psychosis significantly impacting functional outcomes. Functional cognition as a target in early psychosis treatment is insufficiently addressed.

Fostering Wellness: Developing Strategies To Improve Mental Health And Decrease Burnout For Professionals Serving Foster Youth, Amaya Dorado Ledesma

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

High burnout rates, turnover, and decreased mental health are limiting not only foster youth professionals, but also the families and children they serve.

Going With The Flow: Psychological Flow & The Mental Health Of Occupational Therapy Students, Sydney Buchanan

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Despite a growing interest in psychological flow as a factor associated with positive mental health outcomes, its relationship to OTD student well-being has remained underexplored.

Post-Stroke Fatigue: Bridging Neuropathology And Neurorehabilitation-Translating Research Into Clinical Assessment And Intervention Strategies, Wesley Green

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Current clinical approaches to post-stroke fatigue are challenged by limited evidence and an incomplete understanding of its underlying mechanisms.

Healing After Loss: Maternal Wellness Following Perinatal Loss, Farah S. Hakim

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Perinatal loss can disrupt women's roles, routines, identity, and emotional well-being.

Postpartum services often focus on medical recovery within healthcare settings.

Limited occupational therapy and culturally responsive resources exist after perinatal loss

Neurodivergent Well-Being In Independent Living Skills Programs: Impact Of Ot-Informed Resources And Community Programming, Grace Hepner

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

There is a need for multidimensional support for neurodivergent college students due to an increasing number of these students enrolling in higher education.

Kickin' It Old School: Connecting The Ages, Elyssia Lambert

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Problem Statement

Lack of social participation is associated with negative impacts on QoL in individuals with dementia

Lack of awareness and knowledge of OT as a career option

Connection For All: Supporting Neurodivergent-Accessible Sex And Dating Education, Emma Martinho

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

While engaging in sexuality and dating are expressed interests for neurodivergent young adults, there is a lack of support limiting their participation.

Supporting The Transition: A Summer Camp Model For Students With Adhd Entering Middle School, Anna G. Schene

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Students transitioning from elementary school to middle school experience newfound independence, requiring sufficiency in their executive functioning skills. The school-based OT service delivery does not always include or target this population, leaving students without the support needed to develop these skills.

Unequal Access, Unmet Needs: Rethinking Occupational Therapy In Private Practice, Meghan Smith

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Individuals from low-SES backgrounds often experience barriers to occupational therapy services, while private practitioners face challenges balancing accessibility with financial sustainability. These challenges underscore the need to better prepare future occupational therapists to provide equitable, accessible, and sustainable services within private practice.

Learn As You Are: Equipping Key Educational Stakeholders With Neuro-Affirming Knowledge To Support Inclusion Of Autistic Students, Jessalyn Sulamo

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Students throughout the autism spectrum often experience challenges relating to social and communication difficulties, sensory challenges, and inflexible approaches that hinder their social, emotional, and academic well-being (Black et al., 2024).

Clinician Perspective And Uses Of Technology In Neurological Home Health Rehabilitation: A Quality Improvement Project, Sean Sullinger

Occupational Therapy Student Capstones

Despite advancements in technology-based intervention systems and supporting evidence on its benefits, rehabilitation clinicians often demonstrate minimal adoption rates in practice due to a lack of training, device access, and confidence in implementation skills leading to impacts on intervention variability in practice.