Digital Commons Network^™

Transgender Ce For Ot Practitioners And Students, Kalie Fagins

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

Introduction/Rational:

The population of individuals that identify outside of the gender binary social constructs is increasing and becoming more visible. Therefore, it is important for healthcare practitioners to be well equipped to provide affirming care for patients in the LGBTQIA+ community. Findings show that transgender patients have higher incidences of negative experiences with healthcare workers despite healthcare workers having more affirming attitudes. Other studies found healthcare practitioners lacked training and knowledge to provide the best quality of care.

Objectives:

To educate occupational therapy practitioners on gender affirming care related to daily activities, health, and well-being.

Method/approach:

Content from articles, videos, …

Culminating Project In Hippotherapy And Program Development, Taylor E. Bobo

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The purpose of this Capstone experience was to gain clinical skills for Hippotherapy and to develop a new program for a nonprofit organization to that allows people with disabilities an opportunity to acquire work or life skills while performing equine-related tasks, under the supervision of an occupational therapist. The student provided evidence-based research and formally conducted all of the necessary materials to initiate the program, however due to Covid-19, the student was unable to employ said program.

Doctoral Capstone Experience In Academia – Brenau University, Amanda Watkins

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The final requirement for degree conferral in Nova Southeastern University’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program is a 16-week doctoral capstone experience to enhance skills beyond those of an entry-level occupational therapist. During the doctoral capstone experience, students are required to complete a final culminating project that is unique to their chosen focus area which includes the development, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of their work. The focus area that I chose was academia in an occupational therapy program. I was given the opportunity to work with Brenau University’s Entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (ELOTD) program in Norcross, Georgia. I was under …

Graded Motor Imagery In Hand Therapy Practice, Alexis Brackins

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Yoga For Traumatic Stress: An Occupation, Morgan Farris

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

Physicians in the medical field are beginning to dive deeper into the effects of trauma experienced by individuals of all ages. The effects of trauma can mask itself in a plethora of undesirable or debilitating behaviors. The word, trauma, can now be heard in relation to military veterans, throughout courtrooms and in hospitals, and even in classrooms of even the youngest of populations. Trauma can result from a single distressing event, to years of abuse, neglect, or stressful events. Undoubtedly, any traumatic event can have an impact on a person’s ability to function and cope with daily life. Whether the …

Doctoral Capstone Experience With A Neurological Population, Courtney E. Groce

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

Through the completion of a doctoral capstone experience, an entry-level occupational therapy doctoral student is able to further develop advanced skills. The doctoral capstone experience is during the student’s last semester in the program and is 16 weeks long. The doctoral capstone experience consists of both a culminating project and the experience itself. The capstone project is “comprised of a literature review, needs assessment, goals/objectives, and an evaluation plan based on specific focus areas” (ACOTE, 2020). The Nova Southeastern University Entry-Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Manual states that “the goal of the doctoral capstone project and experience is …

The Effects Of Combining Relaxation Strategies With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Insomnia On Sleep, In Service Members With A History Of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Tamatha A. Gallegos

MOT Student Capstones

Objective: To determine if combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia with Relaxation Strategies is effective on sleep disorders in military members after sustaining a traumatic brain injury or concussion(s). Methods: 17 Needs Assessment Surveys were distributed, 13 pre-surveys, 13 post-surveys, and an electronic educational session was created and distributed. The educational session was created after conducting extensive research on evidence-based practices. Methods of Analysis incorporated quantitative data to be gathered from the surveys to identify recurring themes or patterns. Participants were identified as Occupational Therapists or Occupational Therapy Assistants. Results: The Needs Assessment revealed very few occupational therapy professionals used …

A Workout A Day Keeps Depression Away, Hannah Voss

BU Well

The issue of mental health in adolescent females is vastly growing in America, especially depression. Depression is largely treated by pharmacologic therapy, but that can result in many side effects and is associated with a harsh stigma that can deter the patient from continuing their medication regimen. With this said, it remains important to look at other means to treat depression, and one of the best alternative solutions right now is exercise. This article presents research that shows how exercise can greatly improve and prevent depressive symptoms, while also decreasing the stigma associated with treating depression, particularly among adolescent females.

A Capstone In Education: Current Challenges For Occupational Therapist Clinicians Transitioning To Role Of Academician, Jacie Schneider

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The doctoral capstone I participated in for my entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program was in a focus area of education with a mentor who was a professor in a master’s program. I supported my mentor in her role as a professor of a physical dysfunction intervention course and had the opportunity to present a module to students on wheelchair seating interventions. Using experience gained during my capstone as well as information learned during the review of literature, I created a guide for OTs interested in making the transition into academia to meet the capstone project requirement.

Doctoral Capstone Experience In Program And Policy Development- Selah Freedom, Ashley N. Jones

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

Child trafficking has been reported in all 50 states and affects more than 2 million children each year (Guardian Group, 2021). Involvement in human trafficking at a young age induces trauma that has a lasting effect on the victim’s personality and coping skills. A review of literature confirmed a need for more support of the use of occupational therapy with sex trafficking survivors. Despite support for the implementation of occupational therapy in similar trauma populations like domestic violence, homelessness, post-traumatic stress disorder, and disaster survivors, there is limited literature supporting the use of OT with human trafficking survivors (Gorman & …

The Influence Of Technology On A Child's Mental And Physical Functions, Rhonda Steere

MOT Student Capstones

The purpose of this project was to research and analyze various literature to determine the strengths and weaknesses of how the use of technology affects the child's occupational performance. This was done by creating a pre-questionnaire to learn about a child's daily use of technology and about a child's non-use time with technology. Results showed that the majority of children utilized some form of technological device or devices between six to nine hours a day with the majority of time being used for educational content. However, the majority of children were either not supervised or had supervision no longer than …

Pain Response Of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation To Different Grades Of Knee Osteoarthritis, Emily Beer

Honors Theses

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is diagnosed worldwide and affects nearly 250 million people (Wallace et al., 2017, pg. 1). Additionally, people who are 45 years and over are prone to this degrative disease (Wallace et al., 2017, pg. 1). Knee OA can be graded into five categories (0-4) levels associated with the Kellgren-Lawrence grading scales (Kellgren & Lawrence, 1957, pg. 494). Symptoms will develop overtime; thus, it is important to find non-pharmacological ways to help alleviate pain for individuals affected. A non-pharmacological modality of interest is the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) units, which can be tailored to a patient’s specific …

Doctoral Capstone Experience In Academia And Policy Development: Nova Southeastern University, Melanie Mariani

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

An exceptional amount of literature points to the benefits of hands-on learning experiences for students enrolled in healthcare programs (Coker, 2009; Doucet, 2012; Thomas et al., 2017 & Velde, 2009). Goals of my doctoral capstone experience (DCE) included: 1) Develop the foundational requirements for Nova Southeastern University (NSU) to increase hands-on experiential student learning and potentially develop an on-site clinic in the future, and 2) Create and deploy educational materials for the students in the class of 2022 to increase their hands-on learning while taking the course virtually. The results include the creation of three sets of clinical reasoning guides …

Determining Optimal Assessment Battery For Collegiate Soccer And Lacrosse Athletes Experiencing Frequent Repetitive Head Impacts, Megan Dowdal-Osborn Pt, Phd, Elijah Luken, Elizabeth Mcmahon, Elena Morrisette, Jacob Paust

DPT Capstone Posters

Introduction

Female collegiate soccer and lacrosse athletes are subject to repetitive subconcussive head impacts; defined as “cranial impacts that do not result in known or diagnosed concussion on clinical grounds.” These impacts may result in vestibulo-oculomotor (V-O) system dysfunction. Identifying V-O dysfunction is critical in order to better understand the potential consequences of these impacts.

Purposes

Retrospectively examine four years of pilot data to:

1. Describe the evolution of an assessment battery for cleared to play athletes.
2. Identify the assessment tools most frequently positive in cleared to play athletes and non-athletes.
3. Provide direction for clinical practice and future research endeavors.

Participants …

Policies, Practices, And Pedagogies: A Qualitative Study Of Lgbtq+ Representation In The Physical Therapy Profession, Jeanne Lojovich Pt, Phd, Laura Wangsness-Willemsen Phd, Brennan Swan, Jennifer Miller, Jordan Litschewski, Naga Rumicho

DPT Capstone Posters

Introduction

• APTA collects demographic data regarding racial diversity, but ignores gender and sexual diversity
• In the US, 4.5 percent of adults identified as LGBTQ+
• In Minnesota, 4.1 percent of adults identified as LGBTQ+

Objective

• Gain an improved understanding of the shared experiences and the potential underlying barriers that practicing and student PTs and PTAs from gender/sexual minorities in Minnesota encounter
• Results of the study will be used to assist MNPTA task force to improve diversity in PT/PTA education and practice in Minnesota

Methods

• The seven participants were practicing PT/PTAs or student from Minnesota
• Recruitment through flyer via email and distributed …

Lost In Translation: Simple Steps In Experimental Design Of Neurorehabilitation-Based Research Interventions To Promote Motor Recovery Post-Stroke, Natalia Sánchez, Carolee J. Winstein

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Stroke continues to be a leading cause of disability. Basic neurorehabilitation research is necessary to inform the neuropathophysiology of impaired motor control, and to develop targeted interventions with potential to remediate disability post-stroke. Despite knowledge gained from basic research studies, the effectiveness of researchbased interventions for reducing motor impairment has been no greater than standard of practice interventions. In this perspective, we offer suggestions for overcoming translational barriers integral to experimental design, to augment traditional protocols, and re-route the rehabilitation trajectory toward recovery and away from compensation. First, we suggest that researchers consider modifying task practice schedules to focus on …

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

Occupational Therapy And Animal Assisted Interventions: Professionalizing The Field, Annie Hudson

OTD Capstone Projects

This poster represents a capstone experience focusing on occupational therapy and the inclusion of animal assisted interventions (AAI). Working with Pet Partners, two organizational publications were created in hopes of professionalizing the field while also allowing the use of AAI to be a simpler and smoother process. Domain mapping was completed to explore the education and resources available to professionals seeking to use AAI in practice. A wide range of qualitative interviews were completed in order to best represent the professional's perspective.

Occupational Therapy Service And Clinic Development Within Student-Run, Pro-Bono Outpatient Rehab Clinic, Nicole Versace

OTD Capstone Projects

This poster details my capstone project that I completed as a degree requirement for my Doctorate of Occupational Therapy through Belmont University. For this project I partnered with Tennessee State University’s Tiger Community Rehab Clinic. This is a student-run, pro-bono clinic that strives to provide free OT and PT services to those with limited healthcare access. After an initial audit of the clinic, I determined the clinic needed help in developing the OT portion of the clinic as well as help to grow the foundation of the clinic through community and financial partners. You can see my specific goals here. …

Placenta-Expanded Stromal Cell Therapy In A Rodent Model Of Simulated Weightlessness, Amber M. Paul, Linda Rubinstein, Charles Houseman, Metadel Abegaz, Steffy Tabares Ruiz

Publications

Long duration spaceflight poses potential health risks to astronauts during flight and re-adaptation after return to Earth. There is an emerging need for NASA to provide successful and reliable therapeutics for long duration missions when capability for medical intervention will be limited. Clinically relevant, human placenta-derived therapeutic stromal cells (PLX-PAD) are a promising therapeutic alternative. We found that treatment of adult female mice with PLX-PAD near the onset of simulated weightlessness by hindlimb unloading (HU, 30 d) was well-tolerated and partially mitigated decrements caused by HU. Specifically, PLX-PAD treatment rescued HU-induced thymic atrophy, and mitigated HU-induced changes in percentages of …

Social Communication In Learners Using Transactional Supports, Brittany Clark

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with Illuminate Academy, a tutorial program for children aged 3-18 with Autism and developmental disabilities. The primary focus of this project was to create and implement materials and transactional supports to facilitate the subject-verb-noun communication method commonly associated with the SCERTS Model. These materials created include packets created for teachers, packets created and customized for students, digital templates and copies of all materials, and instruction binder with samples to help teachers create more packets as needed.

To Sport Program After Lower Extremity Injury, Shani Johnson Pt, Dscpt, Comt, Kelleigh Harman Mcintosh, David Stephenson, Claire Trujillo, Kathryn Williams

DPT Capstone Posters

Introduction

• 8.6 million sports and recreation related injury episode per year
• Inadequate rehabilitation and premature return to play identified as risk factors for multiple lower extremity injuries

Objective

• Assess the effectiveness of a return to sport program established for patients with lower extremity injuries.

Methods

• Outcome Measures: IKDC, TSK-11
• Performance based tests for pre and post assessment: Single leg timed hop, triple crossover hop

Results

• Statistically significant changes from pre- to post-ASCEND in: 6 meter single-leg timed hop, triple crossover hop, IKDC, TSK-11

Conclusion

• The ASCEND return to sport program elicits statistically significant change in single leg timed hop, triple …

The Effect Of Kinesio Tape On Scapular Kinematics In Collegiate Baseball Players, Peter J. Rundquist Pt, Phd, Lars Olstad, Brian Redemske, Adam Thacker, Thane Widmer

DPT Capstone Posters

Introduction

• Baseball is a repetitive overhead sport requiring coordinated shoulder movements with great speed and power, placing a high amount of stress on the shoulder complex
• Baseball players' throwing shoulders demonstrate altered scapular kinematics compared to their non-throwing shoulder
• We hypothesize that kinesio tape application will significantly alter the scapular kinematics of the throwing shoulder in collegiate baseball players

Participants

• 15 current or former Division 2 and 3 collegiate baseball players from Concordia University, St. Paul and Hamline University
• Inclusion Criteria: Subjects had played collegiately within the last 5 years
• Exclusion Criteria: Extrinsic conditions or underlying pathology that effects the …

Illuminate Academy Interoception Curriculum & Resources, Paige Poole

OTD Capstone Projects

The main focus of my project is on implementing and expanding upon the Interoception curriculum at Illuminate Academy. My project goals included researching best practice for the Interoception curriculum, implementing and expanding upon the Interoception curriculum, building rapport and collaborating with staff and students at Illuminate Academy, collecting data to measure occupational engagement and completing management tasks, and researching best practice to develop sensory strategies to facilitate participation and success of learners.

Creating An Occupational Therapy Supported Wellness Program: Nurture Your Postpartum Body, Lincoln Elliott

OTD Capstone Projects

The focus of this capstone was to create a 3-week postpartum program for Nurture Nashville, a local yoga and wellness studio focused on promoting wellness and creating community for pregnant and postpartum people throughout their journey in motherhood. The program, Nurture your Postpartum Body, consisted of weekly restorative exercise classes and women’s support sessions to promote holistic wellness in the postpartum period.

Life Repurposed: Finding A New Calling Through Meaningful Occupation, Jennifer K. Fortuna

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Kelly Allen, an occupational therapist and artist based in Grand Rapids, MI, provided the cover art for the Spring 2021 edition of the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). “Follow” is a 16” x 20” painting made from oil on panel. The painting, which features a coati from Central America, is from Kelly’s Animal Totem series. After more than 2 decades as a fine artist and educator, she began searching for a career change. Kelly’s background in fine art and her desire to help others prepared her for a career in occupational therapy. Certain events in Kelly’s life aligned not …

Regenerative Rehabilitation And Genomics: Implications For Occupational Therapy, John V. Rider

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The completion of the human genome project has paved the way for health care practitioners to use genetic and environmental information to tailor medical treatment. This innovative approach to health care is rapidly evolving, and occupational therapists need to be aware of the impact it will have on future practice. Regenerative rehabilitation is a product of knowledge and techniques from the fields of rehabilitation and regenerative medicine with the common goal to restore function. Occupational therapists have the potential to play a significant role in regenerative rehabilitation research and implementation. The purpose of this article is to (a) increase understanding …

Occupational Therapy And Health Promotion For Families Experiencing Homelessness: A Community-Wide Approach, Aster Gallus, Laura Schmelzer

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Families experiencing homelessness often face poor mental and physical health outcomes. Some scholars and service providers partially attribute family health outcomes to the negative impact of the social determinants of health. The social determinants of health emerge from a variety of factors in the socioecological model, a tiered model outlining the hierarchy of public health systems, making the social determinants difficult to address. To explore occupational therapy’s potential contribution to addressing these poor health outcomes, the authors centered a doctoral capstone around the question of what occupational therapy’s role would be in addressing the needs of families experiencing homelessness. A …

Functional Cognition In Critically Ill Children: Asserting The Role Of Occupational Therapy, Christina M. Dumas, Lenin Grajo

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

In this Opinions in the Profession article, we aim to highlight the distinct importance of functional cognition as an assessment and intervention priority in children. In this paper, we use the population of critically-ill children as a specific case example. Functional cognition is the ability of individuals to use and integrate their thinking and processing skills to accomplish desired tasks in their everyday lives in meaningful contexts. We propose three themes through which occupational therapists can assume a more active role in understanding and addressing functional cognition and its impact on occupational performance in critically ill children. Supported by literature, …

Impacting Occupational Therapy Assistant Student Knowledge About Occupation And Occupation-Based Practice, Allen S. Keener, Cynthia L. Hayden, Dana M. Howell

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

It is important for occupational therapy assistant (OTA) programs to teach about occupation and occupation-based practice (OBP). Few have published on this topic in relation to OTA education. This study focuses on determining if an educational module covering occupation and OBP would increase student knowledge of occupation and occupation-based practice. In this mixed-methods parallel convergent study, OTA students were immersed in an author-designed educational module to increase their knowledge of occupation, OBP, and the selection of occupation-based interventions. The students engaged in pretesting activities, prior to the module, consisting of short-answer essay and intervention selection tasks. At the conclusion of …