Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Equine-Assisted Services Through An Occupational Therapy Lens, Caitlyn Espinosa

Capstone Projects

The topic of this capstone project is the role of occupational therapy in Equine-Assisted Services. This field is currently dominated by physical therapy because occupational therapists report a lack of knowledge and training involving this unique treatment strategy. Another common issue for equine-assisted programs is funding because insurance often denies coverage for these unique and expensive services. Therefore, objectives for this project include development of three educational visuals, submission of three grant proposals, completion of two continuing education opportunities, and service provision. Results of this project include educational visuals on (1) the basics of Equine-Assisted Services, (2) the impact of …

Exploring The Role Of An Occupational Therapist In Driver Rehabilitation, Lauren Garling

Capstone Projects

Driver Rehabilitation is a specialized occupational therapy service designed to promote independence and mobility in the community by teaching or adapting driving for individuals with medical conditions or injuries. This doctoral capstone experience (DCE) addressed the unmet needs of Automobility Driver Rehabilitation and the field of driver rehabilitation through advanced clinical practice and education. Automobility’s website lacked adequate information and resources on their website. An aspect of this DCE was to finalize their website by adding comprehensive details on services, educational resources, articles, and a FAQ section. Additionally, medical insurance providers do not cover driver rehabilitation as a medically necessary …

Integrating Cultural Competence And Humility Into Occupational Therapy Doctoral Student Education, Jade Nguyen

Capstone Projects

Background: As minority populations in the United States continue to rise, occupational therapy (OT) personnel must be equipped with the necessary skills to provide culturally responsive care to clients from diverse backgrounds. However, OT programs nationwide are lagging behind in delivering adequate cultural training to their students.

Purpose: The project aimed to develop an instructional module for promoting cultural competence and humility among OT students.

Method: The DCE involved three months of in-depth research and collaboration with diverse cultural advisors, including African American, Asian American, Hispanic and/or Latino American, and Muslim representatives, to develop a teaching module. The instructional module …

Program Development For Occupational Therapy Services Within A Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, Charles H. Hanks

Capstone Projects

The goal for this capstone project was to advocate for occupational therapy services to be provided within a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). The concentration areas of my capstone project were occupational therapy program development and advocacy. CCBHCs provides a variety of medical, mental health, and substance use/abuse services to persons, groups, and populations living in the community. Currently, only qualified mental health professionals (QMHP) can provide skilled services to individuals significantly impacted by their challenges. This limits the number of trained professionals that can effectively treat and provide services to individuals in this setting. Occupational Therapists (OT) are …

Promoting Mental Wellness In Emergency Medical Service Students, Providers, And Their Support Systems Through Occupational Therapy, Morgan Gutzman

Capstone Projects

Emergency medical service (EMS) students and providers work in high-stakes and high-stress environments with limited education on how to manage the psychological toll of the job. Research shows that EMS providers have a higher prevalence of mental health struggles and suicide than the general population, which demonstrates the strong need for awareness, education, intervention, and stigma reduction. Occupational therapy (OT) is very capable of supporting this population through mental wellness education and awareness, occupational balance, and trauma-informed self-care strategies. One goal of this capstone project was to create and disseminate multimedia resources for EMS students, providers, and their support systems. …

Addressing Caregiver Health Through Intergenerational Relationships And Occupational Therapy’S Role In Supporting Caregiver Health, Madison Cochensparger

Capstone Projects

More than 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for a loved one with dementia, valued at nearly $350 billion (Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, 2024). This doctoral capstone experience (DCE) aimed to implement an intergenerational program focused on improving dementia caregiver health by creating meaningful relationships of many generations of caregivers through the lens of an occupational therapy (OT) student. Intergenerational programs are defined as a way to facilitate relationships with different generations to enhance their everyday value in life. Occupational therapists work with all populations, exposing individuals with tools and strategies to live a meaningful and purposeful life. Results …

Enhancing Nbcot® Exam Readiness In An Entry-Level Otd Program, Kallen Wolfer

Capstone Projects

The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT®) exam is extremely important for both occupational therapy (OT) students and academic programs. However, the exam and its accompanying study resources are often expensive and thus inaccessible to many students. Western Michigan University (WMU) offers an entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program with limited exam preparatory material offerings for its students. This capstone project aimed to increase student access to NBCOT® exam resources to enhance readiness to sit for and pass the exam. Project objectives and outcomes included the development of an eLearning course covering general NBCOT® exam topics, department purchase …

Fit For Life: Improving Quality Of Life And Fall Prevention Through Group Fitness For Older Adults, Alison K. Plasman

Capstone Projects

The purpose of my doctoral capstone experience (DCE) was to create group fitness classes for older adults to address fall prevention and quality of life. While the primary focus of this DCE was program development, pre/post testing was administered to 11 participants who engaged in regular participation of the program over the course of 6 weeks. Overall, 100% of participants noticed improvements in both their fear of falling, and quality of life following the Fit for Life program. The exercise classes were multi-disciplinary and addressed balance, cardiovascular endurance, upper body strength, lower body strength and core training. Participants reported great …

Enhancing Confidence And Co-Regulation: The Integration Of A Virtual Support Program For Caregivers Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Braeleigh Mccoy

Capstone Projects

Caregivers can play a role in cultivating and developing emotional regulation skills through co-regulation. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can experience higher levels of emotional difficulties than typically developing children. These emotional difficulties can significantly impact a child’s quality of life (QOL) and the well-being of their families. Caregiver’s response to these emotional difficulties can guide them back to a regulated state and increase participation in functional activities. Occupational Therapy (OT) works at providing techniques, educational material, resources, and collaboration with caregivers to promote emotional literacy and connection. Previous research has highlighted the importance of co-regulation between caregivers and …

The Sensational Eight: Education On The Sensory System Within A Center Based Multi-Sensory Environment, Jenna Gottschalk

Capstone Projects

The sensory system plays an essential role for individuals in how they interact with their environment, engage in activities of daily living (ADLs), engage in meaningful learning, and access to higher levels of thinking. The role of occupational therapy is to promote these skills for students within the school system to promote access to their educational environment and support meaningful learning. The ACOTE concentration areas for this capstone include education on the sensory system and sensory processing disorder as well as program development through the application and obtainment for a grant to promote financial resources for Lincoln school for students …

Enhancing Independence Of Individuals Who Are Aging In Place Through Smart Home Technology, Grayden Hoekwater

Capstone Projects

This capstone project explores the use of Amazon Echo Shows and Alexa technology to enhance the independence of older adults and individuals with disabilities aging in place. The project was implemented at Disability Advocates of Kent County (DAKC), where occupational therapists were trained to conduct comprehensive home safety assessments while also assisting consumers with home modifications, equipment, resources, and funding options so they continue living independently in their own home. Pre- and post-surveys with 13 consumers at DAKC assessed the impact of the technology on daily functioning and independence. Results showed that 85% of participants reported increased independence in managing …

Experimental Evaluation Of Friedel’S Salt For Chloride Removal In Road Salt-Impacted Stormwater And Lakes, Marwan Alhinaai

Masters Theses

Road salt (e.g., NaCl) application in cold-temperature regions has increased Cl- concentrations in freshwater. Removing Cl- from water is challenging because it’s highly soluble. This paper is the first to demonstrate and characterize the removal of Cl- from stormwater by Friedel’s salt (Ca4Al2(OH)12Cl2(H2O)4) precipitation (FSP), achieved by adding calcium oxide (CaO) and sodium aluminate (NaAlO2). Laboratory tests were done on Cl- removal with FSP using a range of Ca/Al/Cl ratios in deionized (DI) water and in stormwater samples impacted by road salt. Even the lowest doses resulted in significant removal of Cl- with maximum removal rates for comparable Ca/Al/Cl ratios …

Divided Motherhood: Narrative Within The Domestic Vessel, Jacqueline Denaway

Masters Theses

This research explores the story of motherhood through that of art, craft, and the domestic vessel. It analyzes how the installation, Motherhood Divided, can be viewed as an exemplification of the conflicted divide inherent within contemporary motherhood. I posit this divide to be a result of the tension created between the impossibility of the current normative maternal ideal of intensive motherhood, and its contradiction to that of the private hidden realities of mothering.

The historical origin of intensive mothering is explored, along with its impact on current societal maternal standards. These concepts are juxtaposed with the art of Camille Henrot …

Alvar Aalto: Past. Present.Future, Matthew Collins

Interior Design Capstones

Alvar Aalto serves as a timeless guide for architectural and design principles. These principles are not of universal rigidness but are flexible based on the givenconditions of site, culture, and people. His traditionalmethods of sketching and drawing create a hand to mind connection to the design process. This process, much like his work, develops a mindful and thoughtful outcome of decisions. With computer technology become more increasingly apart of our lives, it is important that we not forget the human point of view rather than purely a rational mode of thinking. This capstone project address how it is possible to …

Food, Design & Desire, Emily Harnden

Interior Design Capstones

The research presented in Food, Design, and Desire examines the impactful role of interior design in shaping the connection between humans and food, with a focus on fine dining environments. Grounded by the thesis, the ideal dining experience creates a profound connection to oneself and the environment around you. This project investigates how built environments influence diners’ emotional and physical experiences, enhancing their intimacy with food. The research addresses the interplay between space, desire, and the human relationship with culinary experiences, aiming to develop design strategies that increase customer retention and deepen the human connection to food.

This project utilizes …

Estimating Climate Risk In Financial Markets, Olanrewaju Oluwadamilare Olaniyan

Masters Theses

The growing impact of climate change on financial markets necessitates a rigorous approach to climate risk assessment. This thesis examines methods for quantifying climate-related financial risks, with a focus on distinguishing climate risk from broader market movements (represented by S&P 500). Using a factor model, we isolate climate risk factors to better understand sector-specific volatility. The insurance sector is used as a proxy for climate risk exposure, given its sensitivity to climate-related losses and regulatory changes. We apply Extreme Value Theory (EVT); the Block Maxima Method and the Peaks Over Threshold Method, to identify excess risk patterns in financial portfolios. …

Utilizing Drainage Induced Pfas Enrichment In Cascade Generated Foam For Efficient Removal At Wastewater Treatment Plants, Ethan Samuel Coffin

Dissertations

Observed trends in municipal solid waste landfills reveal a distinct disparity between per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) composition entering in waste, mostly as diPAP and FTOH, and leaching out as FTCA and PFCA. These patterns are elucidated by compiling PFAS compositions in paper, textiles, and carpet, with known precursor transformations that generate FTCA and PFCA in leachate. Landfill leachate is commonly discharged to wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), which are ineffective at degrading PFAS and only serve as key conduits and discharge points for PFAS to the environment. Foam fractionation has been identified as a promising technology for concentrating and …

Deadtime In The Vale Of Soul-Making: Hermeneutics, Humanization, And Higher Education In Prison, Dale Michael Brown

Dissertations

This body of work examines higher education with and for justice-involved people from a descriptive, theoretical, and empirical perspective—pulling together multiple disciplines and employing different methodologies from the humanities and social sciences. The investigation is written from a philosophical perspective via educational foundations and a social science perspective via qualitative research, including an examination of carceral higher education’s connections to teaching and experiential learning. This approach reflects the interdisciplinary nature of both the author’s degree program and the topic itself, which (as a field of academic inquiry) is part theoretical and part empirical (both qualitative and quantitative). The papers in …

Occupational Empowerment Through The Provision Of Functional Literacy Services, Richard H. Townsend Iii

Capstone Projects

Literacy is a fundamental and foundational skill that develops confidence, self-efficacy, and self-empowerment, while also shaping opportunities and promoting participation in meaningful activities across the lifespan. Possessing low literacy skills directly impacts one’s ability to navigate day-to-day transit, access healthcare systems, obtain employment, and participate fully in community life. Within the realm of occupational therapy (OT), literacy isn’t often addressed outside of educational settings or school systems, which presents a gap in the delivery of OT services. To address this need, I developed and implemented an empowerment-based literacy course for individuals with low literacy, while incorporating OT-focused strategies such as …

Nature-Based Activities And Educational Programming To Promote Health And Wellbeing In Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Madison E. Smith

Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone experience (DCE) and project applied occupational therapy’s (OT) role in positive and healthy aging to the design and implementation of a nature-based activity and education program. Nature-based OT interventions for older adults are supported throughout scientific literature and are of continued importance to address ongoing mental and physical health challenges for the older adult population. This program took place at the Ecumenical Senior Center (ESC), a day center serving primarily underserved older adults in the Kalamazoo, Michigan area. Four interactive group sessions were implemented to explore the physical and mental health benefits of participating in nature activities. …

An Exploration Of Sensory And Fine Motor-Based Interventions To Address Self-Regulation And School Participation In Students Impacted By The Flint Water Crisis, Katie Sicklesteel

Capstone Projects

To be successful academically, students must first be regulated and ready to learn. For this capstone project, the occupational therapy (OT) process was used to develop and implement sensory and fine motor interventions in a first-grade classroom to support their participation. Given that the target population in Flint has been impacted by the water crisis and poverty, a trauma-informed approach was also integrated throughout. While research shows that OT plays an important role in sensory processing, self-regulation and motor skills in schools, there is a lack of accessible and evidence-based tools for educators to support these areas. To address this …

Implementing Fine Motor Skills Into Aba Services To Promote Engagement In Activities Of Daily Living, Hannah Sherman

Capstone Projects

There is an abundance of research regarding the benefits of occupational therapy (OT) and applied behavior analysis (ABA) services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to improve overall independence and function. However, there is a gap in the literature regarding the collaboration of the two professions, which may be attributed to insufficient understanding of each profession’s scope of practice. The primary goals of this doctoral capstone experience were to implement fine motor skills into ABA services and to promote collaboration between ABA and OT providers. These objectives were achieved through the development of an electronic folder of fine motor …

Assistive Technology To Increase Occupational Participation For Individuals With Sci, Emma M. Sauger

Capstone Projects

Individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) typically experience a disruption to their involvement in meaningful daily activities, or occupational participation, which can harm their quality of life. Occupational therapists are equipped to confront this obstacle, often through the use of assistive technology (AT). Various AT devices can be utilized to aid in performing daily occupations and have been shown as an effective way to compensate for functional limitations. With the improved ability to participate in activities, AT can help to restore quality of life among the SCI population. Even with this knowledge, significant barriers to accessing AT still exist, particularly …

Implementing Occupational Therapy Services To Enhance Reentry For Justice Involved Individuals In The Kalamazoo Region, Lexis Rich

Capstone Projects

Within the criminal justice system, there are difficulties and concerns regarding the high rates of recidivism involving the transition from incarceration to community. Formerly incarcerated individuals enter the reentry process with possible mental health conditions, increased social isolation, low self efficacy and difficulties navigating a new way of life. Occupational therapy can help address the difficulties and mental health concerns with incorporating meaningful occupations, however, services are not offered in many regions due to limited awareness of its value. The purpose of this project was to implement occupational therapy services for Region 8 of the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) …

Creating Sensory-Friendly Early Childhood Classrooms: Educator Training And Implementation Of Inclusive Tools, Carly Pylat

Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project focused on improving sensory-informed care at Grand Rapids Community College Early Childhood Learning Laboratory (GRCC ECLL), which serves children from six weeks to six years of age. Occupational therapy’s (OT) role in supporting self-regulation and participation through sensory integration was central to the project. A gap was identified in staff understanding of sensory processing, the absence of formal training, and inconsistent access to materials supporting regulation. To address this, five objectives were accomplished: surveying staff, developing and trialing a shared sensory toolkit, delivering professional development on sensory systems, leading an interactive trauma and sensory module for …

Spirituality In Daily Living: A Program Focused On Enhancing Spiritual Well-Being For Older Adults, Amanda Murray

Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone experience explored the role of occupational therapy in promoting spiritual and religious engagement among older adults. Within occupational therapy, spirituality is often overlooked or only considered in the context of illness or major life transitions, with limited attention given to proactively supporting spirituality in everyday life. To address this gap, a seven-week program was developed to integrate spirituality into daily habits and routines while also introducing new opportunities for spiritual engagement. Additional initiatives focused on raising awareness of supportive tools and resources to help maintain religious engagement amid potential physical and sensory changes experienced by older adults. …

Creating Connections Through Art In Occupational Therapy And Its Impact On Identity And Belonging, Lianna Paris

Capstone Projects

Art has been a therapeutic tool in occupational therapy (OT) since the profession originated. Despite paradigm shifts in the field of OT, art-based interventions remain a valuable approach for promoting self-expression, emotional regulation, and skill development. However, many individuals living with disabilities still face limited access to creative therapeutic opportunities that support social connection and meaningful occupations. Addressing this gap is important, as incorporating art into OT can empower individuals to build effective coping skills and enhance their sense of identity and belonging. This doctoral capstone experience (DCE) aims to develop creative therapeutic environments at Western Michigan University’s (WMU) Unified …

Autism Spectrum Disorder And Neurodiversity: Sensory, Behavior, Trauma-Informed And Interdisciplinary Considerations, Sawyer Hodgkins

Capstone Projects

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a diagnosis that commonly receives occupational therapy (OT) services for sensory and behavioral intervention to promote participation and performance in daily activities. Additionally, individuals with ASD typically receive applied behavior therapy (ABA) to work on similar goal areas while benefiting from a trauma-informed approach. Many resources offer education and advocacy for the ASD population, but they lack a comprehensive and engaging format suitable for a wide range of audiences. This capstone project focused on developing an hour-long video providing an overview of ASD and neurodiversity, education regarding interdisciplinary, sensory, behavioral, and trauma-informed approaches, and concluded …

An Exploration Of Self-Identity And General Functioning Among U.S. Female Athletes Post-Paralympic Games, Riley M. Groves

Capstone Projects

Paralympians are a unique group of elite athletes with varying levels of disabilities who compete at the high level of sport. While much of the existing research focuses on their training and athletic accomplishments, little is known about their lives post-Paralympic Games and the role of Occupational therapy (OT) in athletic performance and everyday life. This doctoral capstone experience was conducted as a qualitative research study, with objectives developed to guide the research process. The study utilized an interpretative phenomenological analysis framework, grounded by Social Identity Theory, to explore the self-identity, sense of purpose, and functional abilities of Paralympians post-competition, …

Safe Sensations In Flight: Integrating A Sensory-Based Protocol For The Flight Experience To Support The Knowledge Of Neurodiverse Conditions, Jillian French

Capstone Projects

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by challenges with social interactions, communication, and repetitive behaviors (Autism Speaks, 2024). The level of support required to carry out activities of daily living can vary for neurodiverse individuals. According to the Center for Disease Control (2025), one in 31 children are diagnosed with Autism indicating an increase in prevalence. Occupational therapists (OTs) are uniquely equipped to support individuals with Autism by helping them engage in meaningful occupations involving community mobility, such as air travel. In accordance with the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework – 4 (OTPF-4), OTs can provide support to individuals with neurodiverse …